Harmon Model Homes Tour

William E. Harmon & Co. Model Homes

Ravenswood Manor Centennial Tour

Wm. E. Harmon & Co. began to sell house lots for their “Ravenswood Manor” subdivision in the spring of 1909. The 40-acre community was served by a new ground-level “L” and station at Francisco, along the recently extended Ravenswood transit line.

Harmon built a real estate sales office a half-block south of the station near where today’s Manor Park pergola stands. House lots were priced at between $690 and $990, depending on their size and location. To spur sales, Harmon constructed a group of model homes, mostly located within a block of the sales office along Eastwood, Francisco, and Wilson streets. Those 15 model homes make up this tour. Enjoy.

Helpful hints: This scrolling stroll through Ravenswood Manor houses also provides lots of information about the former inhabitants drawn from census records and directories. The drawings are from the Harmon Co. advertising, specifically the July 18, 1909 edition of the Chicago Daily Tribune. Each image is clickable to see a larger version. Note that the route map is included at the bottom of the page and the order and numbers reflect the walking route. This tour is also available as a PDF download to make is easy to walk with your tablet or print out [Harmon Model Homes Tour PDF 1.3mb].

General notes: The 1910 census showed 15 households and 60 residents in the neighborhood….Vacant lots originally sold for $690 to $990….The minimum required construction costs were: $2,500-3,000; $3,500 on Wilson; and $4,000 for brick two-flats (which only were permitted on Agatite, California, Manor, and Sunnyside)

Acknowledgments

The volunteers of the RMIA Centennial Research/Tour Committee led by Athene Carras and Jim Peters researched and wrote this tour to share the history and architecture of Ravenswood Manor.

The committee was formed and supported by the Ravenswood Manor Improvement Association, founded in 1914, whose purpose is “to promote the welfare of the community in respect to the maintenance and improvement of the physical appearance of the private and public property; the compliance with the laws as applicable to private and public property; the maintenance of facilities with respect to the safety, health and welfare of its residents.”